Add a spare tire!

[RonDawg]

Unfortunately many new cars today do not have a spare tire, even if there is a recessed well in the trunk for one. It's to save weight and money.

really "many" can you please name 10 serious cars without a spare tire or RFT?

Before challenging me, you should have Googled first, because there are news articles out there that discuss the trend of manufacturers no longer including spare tires in their new cars, and substituting them with fix-a-flat kits:

http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/the-d ... -tire.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://autos.aol.com/article/spare-tire ... -new-cars/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/20 ... s-20110620" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/No-spare ... 01006.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BTW the last article says "one out of seven cars sold today" in this country does not come with some sort of spare tire. As many cars as are sold in the US, that would fit my definition of "many."

But if you insist on a list, here it is at http://www.aaa.com/AAA/corpcomm/socialm ... -Tires.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; which a simple Google search would have also yielded you. There's a lot more than 10 on that list in which a fix-a-flat kit is standard in lieu of a physical spare. Many of those same cars, particularly the lower end models, don't provide for some sort of physical spare or RFT as even a factory option.

[TonyWilliams]

TonyWilliams came up with a spare tire solution that is modeled after the one used on the Australian-spec Leaf which does come with a factory spare:

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=3972" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Actually, I had this installed long before the Australian spec LEAF was released down-under. It's still sitting in my garage!

[dosswelsh]

Hi, Has anyone simply cut a hole from the top of the trunk deck and put the spare in the hole from the top? It looks like there is room to do that thus avoiding having to access the spare from the bottom.

[LeftieBiker]

Hi, Has anyone simply cut a hole from the top of the trunk deck and put the spare in the hole from the top? It looks like there is room to do that thus avoiding having to access the spare from the bottom.

Are you suggesting cutting a huge hole in the steel cargo area floor, and placing the spare in that, resting on the plastic rear diffuser? No, I don't think anyone has tried that one...

[joeriv]

I did look into when I first got my Leaf with a body shop and it to do it right it would have cost about $1,000 - and that's a cash deal. It invloves getting a wheel well to fit, cutting the hole and welding it in place. I wound up just getting a real spare and fitting it into the trunk space with a false floor, as others have done.

[wikki]

Mustang hasn't come with a spare for several years. A guy at work has a 2010 or something and it has no spare, just slime.

[arnis]

BMW also dropped spare as it is waste of resources.
I've always told people to buy the spare and keep it home.
If flat happens on daily commute it is not hard to find a relative/friend
to bring the tire to you. If you have no friends then just call taxi/Uber.
For long trips just take the spare with you.

Trunk size doesn't really get smaller if you take spare with you.
Old bimmers with spare had trunk size reduced DUE to full size spare.


Fuel saving due to weight save is gigantic compare to once a lifetime situation.


I carry Leaf's compressor and bought this tool to fix the leak myself.
Fixing leak is easier (even for ladies) than changing the whole tire.

[derkraut]

I'm with Arnis.

I installed an Altima doughnut spare tire (under the trunk) on my 2011, and hauled it around for 5+yrs---never needed it. So, when I installed a bicycle carrier hitch last spring, I removed it and have it stored in the garage.

[LeftieBiker]

If I do lease another Leaf, my Altima donut may or may not go in that. I too may leave it in the garage...which will, of course, result in a flat tire.

[powersurge]

I repair my own flat tires. When I have time, I do it the right way, by taking the tire off the rim, and putting a large patch from the inside....

With the Leaf, and other no-spare tire cars, I would recommend the following tire repair kit... Gloves, tire plugging kit (hole reamer, plug inserting tool, pack of plugs, and rubber cement), several flat screwdrivers and needle nose pliers (to pull out the screw or debris of the flat), and cigarette lighter air compressor. That will permanently repair a flat. It is not as good as the inside patch, but will do for most beginners at tire repair...

You should never use "fixaflat"!! It destroys the inside of the tire.. Green Slime is ok because it is water soluble, and is easy to remove with a hose..